Identity vs. Empty Religion

Introduction

Imagine a person wearing a doctor’s coat and a stethoscope but who has never studied medicine. They can look the part, but when a real emergency happens, their lack of knowledge is exposed. In the same way, religious leaders in Jesus’ day looked holy — but their hearts were empty of true devotion.

Jesus exposes the danger of appearing godly while failing to honor the Lord from their heart.

We will see two distinct points this morning

The Identity of the Messiah (Lk20:41-44)

The Warning Against Empty Religion (Lk20:45-47)

So in other words Who He is, and second, who we must not become.

Jesus has just silenced His critics - the Priests, scribes, Pharisees and now the Sadducees, all with wisdom they could not refute. He turns the tables on them now with His own question in our short passage this morning.

This moment is not about willing a debate, it’s about revealing hearts . Jesus challenges them to see that the Messiah is more than a political descendant of David — He is David’s Lord, God in the flesh.

Now, at the same time, Jesus warns his disciples against pride and hypocrisy of the religious elite, who “like to walk around in long robes and “devour widows’ houses.” The passage invites us to both exalt Christ rightly and examine our own motives in how we live our our faith.

Our passage before us

Luke 20:41–42 NASB95

41 Then He said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is David’s son? 42 “For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,

Luke 20:43–44 NASB95

43 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’ 44 “Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?”

Luke 20:45–46 NASB95

45 And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets,

Luke 20:47 NASB95

47 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

Is there anything that sticks out to you in this passage?

Psalm 110:1 “1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.””

In looking at (vv.41-42) what question does Jesus ask about the Messiah and David? How does it challenge Jewish expectations at the time? Also, where does He quote from, do you know (vv.43-44)?

He asks them how is Christ David’s son and Lord?

They were looking for a mighty king to overpower Rome and take the throne and power, and dominion they once had.

Interesting fact: Did you know that Ps110:1 is the most quoted O.T. passage in the N.T., it is used by Jesus, Peter and the writer of Hebrews.

While everyone was listening, who does Jesus address in (v.46)?

The disciples

In (vv.46-47) What are the specific behaviors that Jesus condemns?

Walk around in long robes, love respectful greetings in market places

Chief seats in synagogues and places of honor at banquets

Devour widows’ houses

Offer long prayers for appearance sake

The Identity of the Messiah

Jesus challenges the leaders’ perception of the Messiah as merely a human descendant of David. His question reveals His divine authority, prompting us to examine our understanding of His Lordship.

Jesus challenges the traditional view: “How can the Christ be David’s son if David calls Him ‘Lord,?” - He poses it as a riddle. He quotes Ps110:1

This is a call to recognize Jesus not just as a descendant, but as sovereign Lord. This surpasses the expectation of a merely human political Messiah.

This also shows us the humanity of David and Jesus, and the Divinity of the Christ (Jesus).

The leaders could not fit this truth into their limited idea of a political Messiah.

Key truth: Jesus is not merely a great teacher or king — He is the Lord over all.

(Transition) -Once Jesus exposes their misunderstanding of the Messiah’s identity, He immediately turns to expose their misunderstanding of true devotion. If they do not recognize who He really is, their religion will inevitably become self-serving and empty.

The Warning against Empty Religion

Jesus publicly warns against the hypocrisy of the scribes who love outward displays of religiosity. The warning encourages us to reflect on our own faith practices, ensuring they are genuine rather than superficial.

Speaking to his disciples with the crowd listening, Jesus warns about the hypocrisy of the scribes.

The scribes behaviors, They love their long robes, public greetings, best seats, exploiting widows’ houses and making long prayers for show. All these things display that.

Let me take just a minute to talk about devouring widows homes. They were to take care of widows and they would come in and pressure the widows to sign over their houses to them and they would take the money and not necessarily take care of them. They would take advantage of them in many ways because they did not have a husband to look over them now.

The consequences : They will face a great condemnation for their hypocrisy and injustice.

How about some contrasts of appearance vs. reality?

Their robes were long, but their compassion was short

Their prayers were long, but their sincerity was shallow

They looked righteous, but their hearts were self-centered

Some discussion questions

Why is it easier to focus on religious image rather than spiritual reality?

What are some modern examples of “loving the place of honor” in today’s church culture?

How can we guard our hearts from the kind of pride and hypocrisy Jesus warns about?

How can our church show genuine care for the vulnerable — like the widows Jesus mentioned?

What are modern examples of religious hypocrisy that mirror the scribes’ behavior?

How can we ensure our leadership and service reflect humility and integrity?

Application

Ask yourself do I serve for recognition or from love for the Lord?

Let our service be marked by humility, not self-promotion. In other words, serve humbly without seeking applause, and care for those society overlooks.

Be vigilant in protecting and uplifting those who are often overlooked, like widows.

Cultivate awareness of false religiosity and pursue authentic faith.

May we be a people who build a church culture where humility, not status, defines leadership and service.

Conclusion (not on slide or handout)

Jesus unveils, or exposes the truth of His identity and the danger of religious hypocrisy. He is more than David’s son — He is the Lord who reigns over all. He calls us to a faith that is humble, sincere, and compassionate, Faith that exalts Him, not ourselves.

As we close out this mornings class, may we walk away with a recharged, renewed reverence for Christ and a deeper commitment to authentic discipleship to Him. May our lives be a humble reflection of our devotion to Him as the true Messiah, and the the pride of pretenders. May we be a body of believers where Christ is exalted and the vulnerable are protected and accepted, and integrity reigns.